EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Paintout sponsored by Disney World in Lake Buena Vista FL was an incredible success. We were treated like royalty by the staff members. It was a beautiful day with large crowds of people in The World Showcase who were interested in our work and I had nothing but positive comments. Each group of four artists had their own host, who was there to get us beverages, help with equipment, etc. They even drove us back from our section for lunch served in a private facility, and it was wonderful! Greek salad and wrap sandwiches, and great apple pie. At 4:00 we left to check into our hotel, the Animal Kingdom Lodge, which was absolutely beautiful! I sat out on my balcony and watched the animals roam freely. There was a great view from every window in the hotel.

Mary Jane Volkmann

Barbara Perrotti

After a full day, we were taken by shuttle bus back to a banquet and escorted into a private dining room. There was a huge buffet in different stations around the room. We had choices like lobster salad, beef tenderloin, and mexican specialties. Desserts were fresh fruit tarts and wonderful rice pudding with chocolate curls and real whipped cream. One thing I noticed was how great the coffee tasted. We were all given Disney $$ for the next day's breakfast at the hotel restaurant. We were able to spend time together at the banquet visiting. It was a pleasure to see old friends, and to get to know new ones for the first time. This was a very congenial group of artists who left their egos at home. We were absolutely delighted to be there and enjoyed the experience.

Susan Dauphinee

Thom Buttner and Others

We each were allowed to submit two paintings for judging for three awards. All the paintings were extraordinary, so I cannot imagine how one narrows down to just three. They were arranged so we could walk around to see them. Two PAF members were winners; Cynthia Edmonds won first place and Barbara Perrotti won third. They each received a wonderful, adorable Mickey Mouse trophy. All participants received a beautiful commemorative trophy of etched glass with our names and date of the paint out engraved. The vice president of EPCOT came to present the awards. He stayed the entire evening chatting with all of us. We've never been treated so well. It was simply the best!!

To be selected for this invitational event is an honor in itself. You cannot apply for it, as a special committee chooses artists they've seen at other events and exhibits. Congratulations to thirteen Plein Air Florida artists who were selected this year. Thom Buttner, Cynthia Edmonds, Barbara Perrotti and Mary Jane Volkmann in the Canada section. Carolyn Buckmann and Judy Mattison in the France section. Linda Blondheim, Susan Dauphinee and Joe Taylor in the Italy section. C.Turner Cornett, Stewart Jones, Val Sandell, and Kathleen Wobie in the United Kingdom section.